Europe's free satellite service just made it easier to track wildfires

Across the globe, wildfires have been wreaking havoc on communities, making it imperative to have an effective means of tracking them. Europe’s free and open satellite imagery service, known as Copernicus Browser, has made it easier for anyone to monitor these devastating events. The service offers access to the latest satellite imagery captured by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellites, which are a vital part of the European Union’s Earth observation program.

Among the three Sentinel-2 mission satellites, two have proven particularly useful for wildfire monitoring due to their multi-spectral imaging capabilities. These satellites provide detailed imagery in visible light and near-infrared bands, with resolutions as precise as 10 meters, enabling the detection of even the smallest flames.

Previously, the Copernicus Browser offered ten default visualization layers, each utilizing different combinations of spectral bands to enhance the viewing experience. However, on August 4, the service added a new feature—a dedicated "wildfires" visualization layer specifically designed for Sentinel-2 imagery. This interactive layer allows users to quickly identify active fires in white or yellow hues, burning vegetation in vivid red, and scorched landscapes in deep brown or black tones.

By simply clicking on this layer while examining a specific wildfire location, users can instantly glean crucial information about the fire's status and extent. This significant addition to the Copernicus Browser has undoubtedly streamlined the process of tracking wildfires, empowering individuals worldwide to stay informed and take necessary action to mitigate the impact of these catastrophic events.